Detection of variable manufacturing tolerance packages utilizing x-rays

ABSTRACT

Detection of components ( 22 - 24 ) missing from sealed packages ( 16 ) is accomplished by combining a multiplicity of electrical outputs representing the mass in volumes of the package ( 16 ) and comparing the combined value with a standard value for packages ( 16 ) including all components ( 22 - 24 ). In the preferred form, the mass is represented by the absorption of x-rays, with the packages ( 16 ) being conveyed on a conveyor ( 18 ) between an x-ray radiator ( 12 ) generating a fan-shaped x-ray beam ( 14 ) and a line array ( 20 ) of individual detectors ( 20   a,    20   b , etc.). The detectors ( 20   a,    20   b , etc.) detect radiation after passing through the package ( 16 ) and provide a numerical electrical signal equal to the amount of radiation detected. If the sum of the multiplicity of numerical electrical signals is less than the standard value, the package ( 16 ) is rejected from the conveyor ( 18 ) by a rejection device ( 30 ).

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the detection ofmissing components in a package, particularly to an x-ray scanner andprocessing system for detecting missing components in a package, andspecifically to an x-ray scanner and processing system for detectingmissing components which can have a variety of positions within apackage.

[0002] A number of products are marketed in the form of multiplecomponents which are included within a sealed package, with the consumerremoving the components from the package at a location remote from thepoint of purchase and combining those components to form the finalproduct. As the components are located within the package, themanufacturer as well as the consumer are unable to verify whether or notthe package includes all components until after the package is opened.As many products are now mechanically packaged, packages where all thecomponents are not there, where multiple components are present, andlike deficiencies will be created depending upon machinery reliability.As such packaging errors are a major cause of consumer complaintsespecially when packages do not include all the necessary components toproduce the final product, there exists a need for systems to detectwhether the proper components are present in the package withoutrequiring the opening of such packages.

[0003] One manner of such detection is by weighing the final packageafter sealing. This suffers from several shortcomings includingreliability of correctly weighing the individual packages as they arebeing conveyed on a conveyor. Similarly, the weight of a component maybe such that if one component were omitted (or a duplicate included),the package including the remaining components would be within the rangeof weights for the package including all components manufactured withinthe normal manufacturing tolerances.

[0004] Also, the components could be manufactured including identifierswhich can be sensed outside of the package. However, it can then beappreciated that this has limitations in the number of identifiers whichcan be included in a single package and still be separatelyidentifiable, typically requires extra manufacturing steps, and resultsin false negatives as the components could be present in the package buteither the identifiers were omitted or could not be sensed from outsideof the package.

[0005] X-ray scanning systems have had wide commercial success in thedetection of contaminants in a package. Typical applications would bedetecting metal in food products, bone portions in fillets, lumps orclumps in powdered or semi fluid components, or the like. Although priorx-ray scanning systems have been utilized for detecting missingcomponents, use of x-ray scanning systems were generally limited topackages where the components are in a consistent position within thepackages. Example packages would include egg cartons, TV dinners, andthe like.

[0006] X-ray scanning detection systems are desirable for severalreasons including but not limited to they do not require use ofidentifiers, do not require any modifications to the production lineupstream from the detection system, do not leave marks or have thepotential of damaging the sealed package and the like. Thus, a needexists for an x-ray scanning system which is able to detect whichpackages include one or more missing components where the components canhave a variety of arrangements or positions within the package and whichdo not generate a substantial number of false negatives.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention solves this need and other problems in thefield of package x-ray detection systems and methods by, in the mostpreferred form, comparing the combined value of a multiplicity ofoutputs of radiation detectors corresponding to areas of a package witha standard value for a package including all desired components andrejecting any packages having package values that do not meet thestandard value. In the most preferred form, the multiplicity of outputsare generated by moving the packages on a conveyor between a fan shapedbeam x-ray radiator and a row of detectors.

[0008] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novelx-ray scanner and processing system.

[0009] It is further an object of the present invention to provide sucha novel x-ray scanner and processing system which is not orientationdependent.

[0010] It is further an object of the present invention to provide sucha novel x-ray scanner and processing system especially useful fordetecting missing components in a package where the components can havea variety of positions or arrangements inside of the package.

[0011] It is further an object of the present invention to provide sucha novel x-ray scanner and processing system substantially eliminatingthe generation of false negatives.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of an illustrativeembodiment of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference tothe accompanying drawings where:

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of an x-ray scanner andprocessing system according to the preferred teachings of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a representative packagescanned by the system of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 3 shows an array of illustrative numerical outputs generatedby the system of FIG. 1 scanning a package of the type represented byFIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a graphical depiction generated by prior systemsscanning a package of the type represented by FIG. 2.

[0018]FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of another representativepackage scanned by the system of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 6 shows an array of illustrative numerical outputs generatedby the system of FIG. 1 scanning a package of the type represented byFIG. 5.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows a graphical depiction generated by prior systemsscanning a package of the type represented by FIG. 5.

[0021] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basicteachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figureswith respect to number, position, relationship and dimensions of theparts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will bewithin the skill of the art after the following description has beenread and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensionalproportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similarrequirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after thefollowing description has been read and understood.

DESCRIPTION

[0022] An x-ray scanner and processing system according to the preferredteachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings andgenerally designated 10. System 10 includes an x-ray radiator 12 whichgenerates energy waves in the form of a fan-shaped x-ray beam 14encompassing and irradiating packages 16 on a conveyor 18. The plane ofthe fan shaped x-ray beam 14 is perpendicular to the conveyingdirection, with the conveying direction extending out of the plane ofthe drawing. The radiation passing through package 16 and conveyor 18 isreceived by a line or row array 20 comprised of a plurality ofindividual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. For purposes of explanation, itwill be assumed that eleven individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. extendacross the width of package 16 on conveyor 20. In actuality, the numberof individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. is in the order of 256 to 512.Likewise, for purposes of explanation, a numerical reference is given tothe output of each of the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc., withthe larger number indicating that a greater amount of radiation is beingreceived by the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. In the followingdescription, when package 16 is not positioned between x-ray radiator 12and array 20, the maximum output of the individual detector 20 a, 20 b,etc. is 255. It can then be appreciated that if package 16 is positionedbetween radiator 12 and array 20, the output of the individual detectors20 a, 20 b, etc. will be less than 255 depending upon the particularcomposition to the material in the plane of x-ray beam 14. As anexample, if metal were positioned in between radiator 12 and anyparticular detector 20 a, 20 b, etc. in the plane of beam 14, the outputof those particular detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. would be 0 as noradiation would be detected. However, it can be appreciated that thenumerical value is entirely arbitrary and a matter of choice. As anexample, the value could be based upon the amount of radiation blocked,with the numerical value of 0 indicating no radiation is being blockedand a positive number such as but not limited to 100 indicating that100% of the radiation is being blocked. The same principles are involvedno matter what numerical values are assigned to the outputs of theindividual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc.

[0023] It should further be appreciated that beam 14 is generated incycles by radiator 12 and in the most preferred form is generated atapproximately 700 cycles/second. Thus, as package 16 is conveyed onconveyor 18 and moved between radiator 12 and array 20, individualdetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. generate a multiplicity of outputscorresponding to distinct areas of package 16. In the most preferredform, package 16 takes about one half second to pass entirely throughthe plane of beam 14 such that 350 readings are made across package 16.

[0024] It should then be appreciated that system 10 as described thusfar is of a conventional design (see as an example U.S. Pat. No.4,788,704). Historically, such systems 10 were utilized to detectcontaminants in package 16. As an example, if the output of one or moreindividual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. indicated that no radiation wasbeing detected at any time that package 16 including food was in theplane of beam 14, package 16 was rejected because such an indicationindicated the undesired presence of metal. Such rejection typically isin the form of removal from conveyor 18 by suitable means 30 such as butnot limited to removal by air jets, grabbing or pushing arms, moveableconveyor sections or the like. In addition to metals, system 10 could beutilized to detect other contaminants such as but not limited to thepresence of a bone in a fillet, or the like, where the amount ofradiation being detected by the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc.was less than the range of amount normally detected by the individualdetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. Use of system 10 for detecting contaminantsin packages 16 has historically been very successful in theseapplications.

[0025] In addition to the presence of unwanted components, the nextprogression of system 10 was to detect the absence of missingcomponents. Specifically, packages 16 often include multiple components22, 23, and 24. As an example, component 22 could be a pouch including abase such as pasta, component 23 could be a pouch including a sauce suchas a tomato sauce, and component 24 could be a pouch including a toppingsuch as a cheese. Prior to the present invention, system 10 utilized thesame threshold detection in determining whether components were missingas when contaminants were present. Specifically, it was assumed that ifthe components 22-24 were present, the amount of radiation beingdetected would be less than when one or more components 22-24 weremissing. Thus, if the amount of radiation that was detected by detectors20 a, 20 b, etc. was less than a threshold amount, it was assumed thatthe components 22-24 were present. Use of system 10 in this manner isfairly successful if components 22-24 and package 16 had consistentpositioning, in other words everything in package 16 was regimented andstationary relative to package 16. As an example, packages 16 in theform of egg cartons including individual components 22-24 in the form ofeggs held in their own compartments and always passing through the planeof beam 14 in the same orientation can be successfully scanned by system10 to detect the absence of one or more individual eggs from package 16.Specifically, if one or more individual eggs were missing from package16, the radiation detected by array 20 would be greater than forpackages 16 where individual eggs are not missing and could be rejectedby system 10. In this regard, detection of missing components 22-24having consistent positioning inside of package 16 can be successfullyaccomplished using a threshold mode of operation where if a thresholdamount of radiation reduction is detected, it can be assumed that thecomponents 22-24 are there, and additionally if a greater amount ofradiated reduction is detected, it can be assumed that a contaminant ispresent.

[0026] It can be appreciated that if packages 16 passed through theplane of beam 14 in a different orientation, the radiation reductiondetected by the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. would not be thesame between the individual packages 16. However, the orientation ofpackages 16 entering system 10 can be easily mechanically controlled tobe consistent. The problem arises when components 22-24 can have avariety of positions or are allowed to move inside of package 16.Specifically, the radiation reduction detected by the individualdetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. would not be the same with components 22-24at various positions inside of package 16.

[0027] With this as background, the method of detecting missingcomponents 22-24 from package 16 according to the teachings of thepresent invention can be explained and differentiated from prior methodsin connection with a package 16 including three components 22-24. Forpurposes of explanation, it is desirable to have components 22-24 in avertical stacked arrangement on conveyor 18 in the position shown inFIG. 2 with base component 22 located intermediate components 22 and 24and with component 23 located closest to conveyor 18. It can beappreciated that when mechanically positioned in and sealed withinpackage 16, components 22-24 will be in the desired arrangement about90% of the time. However, about 10% of the time, for whatever reason,components 22-24 do not have the desired orientation. An example ofanother possible orientation is shown in FIG. 6 wherein components 23and 24 are in a side-by-side arrangement adjacent to conveyor 18 andcomponent 22 is stacked on and straddles components 23 and 24.

[0028]FIG. 3 represents an array of a multiplicity of numerical outputsof the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. as package 16 includingcomponents 22-24 in the arrangement of FIG. 2 passes through the planeof beam 14. It should be appreciated that the array is merelyillustrative for the sake of simplicity as only 11 readings are providedin each row across the width of package 16 corresponding to 11individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. when in actuality a multiple oftimes that number of individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. are provided.Similarly, only 16 readings are provided in each column across thelength of package 16 corresponding to the number of cycles of radiator12 when in actuality a multiple of times that number of cycles areprovided. Based upon an x-ray value of 255 where no reduction inradiation is detected and considering the lowest value detected by theindividual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. in the line array 20 orconsidering the value detected by an individual detector 20 a, 20 b,etc. generally located in the center of the width of package 16, areduction in the radiation is detected as the paperboard or othermaterial forming package 16 passes through the plane of beam 14, whichreduction is indicated by the numerical output of 230. Further reductionin radiation is detected as component 23 passes through the plane ofbeam 14, and then components 22 and 23 pass through the plane of beam14, and then all three components 22-24 pass through the plane of beam14. It can be appreciated that the reduction in detected radiation willbe the greatest when the plane of beam 14 simultaneously passes throughall three components 22-24, with the actual reduction of radiation beingdependent upon several factors including the particular consistency ofthe material within components 22-24, the particular thickness ofcomponents 22-24 and the like, with the greatest reduction in radiationin the example having a numerical output of 24. As package 16 continuesto travel through the plane of beam 14, there is less reduction inradiation as the end of component 23 passes through the plane of beam14, and lesser still as the end of component 24 passes through the planeof beam 14, and even lesser still as the end of component 22 passesthrough the plane of beam 14 and beam 14 again only passes through thematerial forming package 16. It should be appreciated that theindividual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. do not have the same numericaloutputs, but the radiation detected by any particular detector 20 a, 20b, etc. and the numerical output will be dependent on the particularposition of the particular detector 20 a, 20 b, etc. in array 20, withthe detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. adjacent the edges of package 16 andcomponents 22-24 typically experiencing less radiation reduction thandetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. in the center of package 16.

[0029]FIG. 4 represents a graphical representation that would bedisplayed utilizing prior methods for the numerical outputs of the arrayof FIG. 3. In particular, the lowest numerical value (representing thegreatest reduction in radiation) is plotted for each successive readingas package 16 passes through beam 14. As this numerical value is below athreshold value indicated as the numerical value of 45 in FIG. 4, thisparticular package 16 would pass the scanning test of system 10 andwould not be rejected thereby. In this regard, the numerical value doesnot pass a minimal value such as being equal to 0 which would indicatethe presence of a contaminant, which would be a reason that system 10would reject package 16.

[0030]FIG. 6 represents an array of numerical outputs of individualdetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. as package 16 which includes components 22-24in the arrangement of FIG. 5 passes through the plane of beam 14utilizing the same parameters as set forth for FIG. 3. Based upon anx-ray value of 255 where no reduction in radiation is detected andconsidering the lowest value detected by the individual detectors 20 a,20 b, etc. in the line array 20 or considering the value detected by anindividual detector 20 a, 20 b, etc. generally located in the center ofthe width of package 16, a reduction in the radiation is detected as thepaperboard or other material forming package 16 passes through the planeof beam 14, which reduction is indicated by the numerical output of 230.Further reduction in radiation is detected as component 23 passesthrough the plane of beam 14, and then components 22 and 23 pass throughthe plane of beam 14. However, as package 16 continues to travel throughthe plane of beam 14, there is less reduction in radiation as the end ofcomponent 23 passes through the plane of beam 14 and beam 14 passes onlythrough component 22. Greater reduction in radiation is again detectedas the end of component 24 passes through the plane of beam 14 and beam14 passes through both components 22 and 24. There is less reduction inradiation as the end of component 22 passes through the plane of beam 14and lesser still as the end of component 24 passes through the plane ofbeam 14 and beam 14 again only passes through the material formingpackage 16. In this example, beam 14 never passes simultaneously throughcomponents 22-24 and thus the reduction in radiation of package 16 ofFIG. 6 is lesser than the maximum reduction in detected radiation ofpackage 16 of FIG. 2.

[0031]FIG. 7 represents a graphical representation that would bedisplayed utilizing prior methods for the numerical outputs of the arrayof FIG. 6. In particular, the lowest numerical value (representing thegreatest reduction in radiation) is plotted for each successive readingas package 16 passes through beam 14. As this numerical value is alwaysabove a threshold value indicated as the numerical value of 45 in FIGS.4 and 7, this particular package 16 would fail the scanning test ofsystem 10 and would be rejected by the rejection means 30 of system 10.However, package 16 of FIG. 5 includes all 3 components 22-24, andsystem 10 would have provided a false negative. In actual practice,about one half of the 10% of the packages 16 which contain all 3components 22-24 but not in the desired arrangement of FIG. 2 arefalsely rejected as not including all components 22-24. This is anamount which makes system 10 utilizing prior methods commerciallyunacceptable for detecting missing components 22-24 in packages 16.

[0032] The present invention is the recognition that the outputs of theindividual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. of array 20 can be utilized in amanner which was not previously considered and/or which was consideredinoperable to arrive at a commercially acceptable method for detectingmissing components 22-24 in packages 16. In particular, it wasrecognized that although the manner that radiation is reduced isdependent upon the arrangement of components, the total amount ofradiation which is absorbed by components 22-24 as well as the materialforming package 16 is generally dependent upon mass of the particularcomponents and the amount of mass does not change with the arrangementof components 22-24. According to the methods of the present invention,the multiplicity of electrical outputs of individual detectors 20 a, 20b, etc. is combined to arrive at a combined value by suitable meansdiagramatically designated in FIG. 1 as 26. It can then be appreciatedthat the sum of all the values of each of the individual detectors 20 a,20 b, etc. of array 20 of all of the successive readings as package 16passes through beam 14 provides a representation of the combination ofthe electrical values of radiation absorbed by components 22-24 and thematerial forming package 16 located in discreet volumes represented byindividual blocks in the arrays of FIGS. 3 and 6, with the amount ofradiation being absorbed being directly related or in other words arepresentation of the mass of components 22-24 and package 16 in thosediscreet volumes.

[0033] According to the teachings of the present invention, the combinedvalue is compared with a standard value by suitable meansdiagramatically designated in FIG. 1 as 28. The standard value isidentified by scanning and obtaining combined values of packages 16including all components 22-24 within the normal manufacturing toleranceranges. In this regard, the standard value would be in the form of arange for acceptable products. The standard value could be variable andfloat according to the particular operating parameters including but notlimited to the environment temperature, relative humidity, and the like.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the total sum of values of the numericaloutputs of the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. for all of thesuccessive readings as package 16 of FIG. 2 passes through beam 14 is22398 which is equal to the total sum of values of the numerical outputsof the individual detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. for all of the successivereadings as package 16 of FIG. 7 passes through beam 14, even throughthe numerical outputs for particular detectors 20 a, 20 b etc. are notthe same in the arrays of FIGS. 3 and 6. The total sum of values is thenset to encompass normal manufacturing tolerances from a desired package16 including the desired weight and makeup of components 22-24.

[0035] There are several reasons why it is believed that persons skilledin the art did not consider utilizing the total amount of radiationwhich is absorbed as a criteria in testing packages 16. First, thismethod of the present invention does not provide testing forcontaminants, the initial reason why system 10 was developed. Inparticular, although the numerical outputs of particular detectors 20 a,20 b, etc. for particular readings could be beyond the prior thresholds,the total sum of values could be within an acceptable range for thedesired total. Thus, it is believed that the mindset of those skilled inthe art was that this criteria would not useful in testing packages forcontaminants and thus would not be useful in testing packages per se.Although recognizing this deficiency, the method of the presentinvention is a recognition that x-ray system 10 can be utilized in adifferent manner to achieve results which were not previously consideredor considered inoperable. In this regard, testing for contaminants inaddition to the method of the present invention is contemplatedincluding but not limited to the utilization of prior x-raycontamination methods in parallel with the methods of the presentinvention and even utilizing the same outputs of the individualdetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. but for multiple purposes.

[0036] Additionally, the method of the present invention does not lenditself to graphical depiction as do the prior methods as depicted inFIGS. 4 and 7. In particular, although a single value for eachsuccessive reading of array 20 has significance and can be easilygraphically displayed, the successive readings of array 20 has nosignificance in the method of the present invention as only the totalvalue of the readings representing the total amount of radiationabsorbed has significance. Thus, graphical depiction is not needed, andonly a counter type gauge 32 showing the total value of the readings isthe only type of visual indication necessary, if desired.

[0037] Further it should be appreciated that unlike mass, absorption ofx-rays is position dependent. As an example, the absorption of x-rays issubject to a Bernoulli Equation as to distance. It can then beappreciated that the distance of components 22-24 from radiator 12 aredifferent in packages 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, and thus the rate ofabsorption of x-rays by components 22-24 as sensed by the individualdetectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. in the packages 16 of FIGS. 2 and 5 will bedifferent. Due to this non-linear relationship and the belief that thiswould prevent any meaningful use of an indication of the total amount ofx-ray absorption, its use prior to the present invention had not beenconsidered or had been considered inoperable by persons skilled in theart. However, it was discovered that in the ranges necessary to operatesystem 10 according to the methods of the present invention that aperson skilled in computer processing can easily develop an algorithmwhich converts the values of detectors 20 a, 20 b, etc. to approximate alinear relationship to allow the total sum of values to have a practicaland meaningful significance in the method of the present invention inthe detection of missing components 22-24 in package 16. The method ofthe present invention is then proceeding opposite to conventionalthinking in the field of x-ray detection systems.

[0038] Although not illustrated, it can be clearly appreciated that ifone or more components 22-24 were missing from package 16, the priormethod would not reach its threshold value and the total sum of valueswould not be within the acceptable range of the method of the presentinvention. Thus, both methods would result in a rejection of package 16which omitted one or more components 22-24 by any suitable means such asbut not limited to an air jet diagramatically designated in FIG. 1 as30.

[0039] Similarly, system 10 can be utilized in the method of the presentinvention to detect if individual components 22-24, although present,are not within the desired manufacturing weight tolerances. Inparticular, it should be appreciated that if components 22, 23, or 24are present in a greater amount than desired, the radiation detectedwill be less and if present in a lesser amount than desired, theradiation detected will be greater. This variation (outside of a normaltolerance range) can be detected by system 10 according to the teachingsof the present invention. Thus, the line check weigher scales utilizedin prior production lines could be eliminated utilizing system 10 of thepresent invention and especially for small weight components could havegreater reliability than prior conveyor scales.

[0040] Similarly, in the most preferred form system 10 could be utilizedto check for contaminants in parallel with the methods for checking formissing components of the present invention. Thus, metal detectors andother component checking equipment could be eliminated.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or central attributes thereof. In that the foregoingdescription of the present invention discloses only exemplaryembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that other variations arecontemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited in the particularembodiments which have been described in detail therein. Rather,reference should be made to the appended claims as indicative of thescope and content of the present invention.

1. Method for detecting missing components in a package comprising:generating a multiplicity of electrical outputs representing the mass involumes of the package; combining the multiplicity of electrical outputsto arrive at a combined value; identifying a standard value of a packageincluding all components; comparing the combined value with the standardvalue; and rejecting the package where the combined value does not meetthe standard value.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein generating themultiplicity of electrical outputs comprises: radiating the package withan x-ray beam generated by an x-ray radiator; and detecting radiationpassing through the package at spaced locations on the opposite side ofthe package than the x-ray radiator.
 3. The method of claim 2 whereinthe package is on a conveyor when radiated.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein the package is radiated by a fan shaped x-ray beam; wherein theradiation is detected by a line of detectors; and wherein the package ismoved between the radiator and line of detectors to generate themultiplicity of electrical outputs.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein themultiplicity of outputs corresponds to the total volume of the package.6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: displaying the combinedvalue.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the electrical outputs arenumerical values.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the electricaloutputs represent the amount of radiation detected.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the package is radiated by a fan shaped x-ray beam;wherein the radiation is detected by a line of detectors; and whereinthe package is moved between the radiator and line of detectors togenerate the multiplicity of electrical outputs.
 10. The method of claim1 wherein the multiplicity of outputs corresponds to the total volume ofthe package.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: displayingthe combined value.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the electricaloutputs are numerical values.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein theelectrical outputs represent the amount of radiation detected. 14.System for detecting missing components in a package comprising, incombination: means for radiating the package with an energy wave whichis absorbable by the components in the package; means for detecting theenergy passing through the package and for generating a multiplicity ofelectrical outputs representing the mass in volumes in the package;means for combining the multiplicity of electrical outputs to arrive ata combined value; means for comparing the combined value with a standardvalue for a package including all components; and means for rejectingthe package where the combined value does not meet the standard value.15. The system of claim 14 wherein the radiating means comprises anx-ray radiator.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the x-ray radiatorradiates a fan-shaped x-ray beam; and wherein the detecting meanscomprises a line of individual detectors, with the package being movedbetween the x-ray radiator and the line of detectors to generate themultiplicity of electrical outputs.
 17. The system of claim 16 furthercomprising in combination: a conveyor for conveying the package betweenthe radiating means and the detecting means, with the rejecting meansremoving the package from the conveyor.
 18. The system of claim 17further comprising, in combination: a counter type gauge to display thepackage value.
 19. The system of claim 16 wherein the detecting meansdetects the level of energy remaining after passing through the package.20. The system of claim 14 wherein the detecting means detects the levelof energy remaining after passing through the package.